Death by a Thousand Cuts (Budget Remix Rurouni Kenshin Series: 1)

Let's hop into this May 2025 set and brew some different lists! Interestingly enough, this series starts off with a super strong deck which, with a few RR additions, becomes arguably one of the more competitive decks in the set.

Check out the Philosophy of the Budget Deck Remix Series here if interested!

Deck Code: 3G9FY

https://decklog-en.bushiroad.com/view/3G9FY

Quick Pilot Guide:

The whole goal of this deck is to get to Level 1, play a bunch of Yahiko’s, use their abilities, then use the climax combo to change into a 12000+ 2/0 Yahiko via the 1/0 Assist Kaoru’s Ability to on reverse, burn 1. Hence the deck title. ;) You continue to repeat this combo the remainder of the game. Sometimes the 2/0’s survive since they do have decent defensive power, but you’re typically not too concerned if some don’t as you always want your opponent powering over at least 1 to 2 lanes to leave reverse targets for the combo. There is a full on competitive version of this deck that exists, but in reality the majority of the deck is U, C, or TD cards and it still mostly runs (a bit less optimally) when you swap some cards to make it a budget deck.

Find below some budget swap ins if you’re unable to get a R or two, and then some upgrades for if you like the deck enough to let it become full power!

Budget Swap-Ins:

Off our Level 1 preferred color, but if you would like some more red with decent attack power and an interesting ability this is worth considering.

A very strong counter, but heavily locked behind stock and play restrictions. Some will prefer this counter in this list over the burn counter. Choose what fits your playstyle best

 A decent tech 1 or 2 if you’re having issues maintaining stage or Yahiko’s for the change. This deck in its budget form has limited healing, so that’s why it was cut from this list.

Struggling to get a climax in hand to set up the repeat turn? 1 or 2 copies of this may help, especially if you can get your climax swap Kenshin 0/0 in hand as well. Also has decent attack power. Downside? Not Yahiko, so it can’t be a change target.

If you don’t have access to the 2/1 Rare Level Down/Hand Filter Sanosuke & Yahiko, this could be a budget fill in. While it’s not as convenient for getting rid of an opponent's early plays for something easier to reverse for a 2/0 Yahiko, it’s still a change target and plays into what the deck likes. On your turn he’s decently big, but on your opponent’s he’s only 3500 power. That makes it harder for them to crash and avoid on reverse targets the next turn.

Upgrades for when there’s some extra change in the wallet after payday:

A strong on play power Yahiko that helps with filtering hand and milling the deck for change targets in the waiting room for your Level 1 combo.

An early play healer that helps to heal and hand filter. Buys you more time to reverse things with redone Yahiko changes.

A brainstormer for when you need something back in hand to play from the waiting room, change targets in the waiting room, and an on play ability for a possibility of digging out the climax combo from the deck for one last change/reverse burn turn. (Be careful! Check there’s already a copy in the waiting room first before paying costs!)

This shop PR was the shop PR for the month of June I believe, but I could be off by a month. This is a +2500 Backup that also allows you to pay an additional stock, discard a “Meiji Romantic Story” trait character from hand to waiting room, and put a character from your stage in the waiting room to anti-change an Opponent’s Character who is higher than your Opponent’s Level to the bottom of their deck. This counter has several possible plays including getting rid of early play Level 3s or getting rid of a character who’s an on reverse combo target.